Living Garden

Nesting boxes
• Why a nesting box?
• Guests in the nest
• Placing out the nest
• Cleaning the nest

Bird tables
• Why feed birds?
• How do birds eat?
• What do birds eat?
• Species at the bird table
• Placement
• Cleaning
• Endangered bird species
• Put out water!

Butterflies
• Daytime butterflies

Endangered species in the garden

Since the year 1600 ca 90 species of bird have become extinct, and the rate of extinction rather seems to be increasing than decreasing. We have never hade greater knowledge of our birds than now, but in spite of this a large number are threatened by extinction. In UK there are several endangered species. Below are two of the species that 30 years ago were a couple of our most common garden birds, but that are endangered today.

The starling
Many surely remember the starling which frequented our gardens in the springs and summers. It would often perch on the TV antenna or roof ridge and hold a spring concert with fluttering wings. It is easy to recognise through its rich repertoire of imitating sounds. The number of starlings has constantly dropped in all of Europe for many years with a decrease of 65% the last 30 years.

The tree sparrow
Previously one of our common garden birds in UK. This species also has a threatened existence, particularly in the United Kingdom according to recent studies. In the last 30 years the number of tree sparrows has decreased by 95%.